2013 Lincoln MKZ Review

Last night I had a chance to take a pair of 2013 Lincoln MKZ's for a spin. I drove a smoked quartz 2.0 ($40K) and a pearl white 3.7 Reserve ($44K). I wanted to try the car in both varieties. (A hybrid wasn't available). Both were FWD and were fairly equally equipped except for the powerplant.

First, I will say that I LOVE the styling of the rear of this car. Even the 2.0 had the nicely integrated dual exhaust and the car looks classy from this angle. I also like the little triangle window in the A-pillar. It looks upscale and sure beats the plastic triangle fillers that have become all too common. Both cars were shod with the polished 19" wheels, which looked classy and elegant, but did take away from any sportiness the car might have. While neither had the BAMR (big-a$$ moonroof) they both did have the standard moonroof, which I believe is WAY overpriced for $1200!

From a styling standpoint this is where my exterior kudos end. The front of the car in person looks bulbous and dare I say it... boring! I just wasn't feeling it. I have to say that the the revised MKS has a better more agressive looking front end. I will say that the new MKZ does have very good fit and finish and panel gaps were consistent and impressive.

The interior was comfortable and a nice place to be, but it didn't evoke any emotion. It was a little bland and sterile as well. Reminded me a bit of the last few generations of Lexus. Nice and comfy with great materials, but lacked any visual "pop" or "wow-factor". The glitter-infused black/grey matte trim just didn't seem to fit in with the car.. or maybe it's just because there is just so much of it. While the absence of a standard gear selector does provide extra space in the center console, a nice chrome and leather gear selector might have visually broken up the space and made it look less sterile. Also, while I tend to lean on the techy-side and the push-button transmission seemed like a novel idea, in practice as a car guy I had no where to rest my left hand. I constantly had this awkward feeling about where my left arm and hand were supposed to go. I can imagine on long trips it would create fatique for me personally to have my arm on the center console with my hand just sort of "dangling".

The seats were comfortable and again, the interior was a pleasant place to be. The displays were vibrant and useful.

How did it drive?

The 2.0 was a nice ride and had pretty good pull, but frankly it left me wanting more. The 2.0 is a fine engine in the Fusion, but for $40K I expect more power on reserve in a big mid-sizer like the MKZ. It was well balanced and I'm sure that a majority sold will be this powertrain or the hybrid. The demographic that buys this car is often middle aged females and it still gets up and goes, but it doesn't excite.

The 3.7 is a nice engine. I've always been a fan of the Duratecs and the application in the MKZ is no exception. It pulls strong, has a decent exhaust note and makes you feel like there is more power in reserve. Lincoln ride control is quite good. The car felt planted, well connected and at times even felt a bit sporty. I will admit it drove better than a FWD mid-size entry lux really should. (or usually does)!

I have quite a bit of experience behind the wheel of a 2010 MKZ Sport AWD and the 2013 is a VAST improvement over what was a decent car. The MKZ is a good car and has some shining points that may help it win over some new customers, but it's not a game changer for Lincoln. It is a step in the right direction though.

I'll wait until inventories get a bit larger and I can drive what I would buy, which would be a 3.7 AWD with the handling package and BAMR. My mother-in-law is on her 2nd MKZ and will likely be getting a 3rd one in that configuration. I'll reserve my final judgement until that point.
--------------------In my Chrysler 300's defense this might be some new Uber-safe pre-collision system that I am not aware of. The airbag deployment is the result of the car KNOWING I will be struck in the front passenger door at SOME p

Good read. That 2.0 needs to be swapped out for the 2.3 IMO. If the Fusion Sport happens with it, I bet that's likely. And please, update the duratec37! Not even direct injected yet, Surely Ford can squeeze a good chunk more power out of it.But i really think Lincoln needs to work on their interior color palette. None of the choices seem all that great. There's black, but IMO there's not enough contrast inside so it look a little drab (I got a chance to sit in a few pre-prod. MKZs at La Cantera mall a couple months ago). And the dune and hazelnut colors are just slightly off for me. Add in that the dash is always a darker grey/black, and it can be a little bleak inside. A leather dash the same color as the seats (my mom's Cayenne has this) would be great. And honestly something similar to her interior color (luxor beige) would look nice in the Lincoln too

The interior seemed stark and many of you have commented about the lack of a color palette. I agree. Lincoln had the canyon colored seats in a few other vehicles and it was a nice contrast. I was getting the oil changed in my Hyundai and I saw an Elantra GT that had Navy Blue leather. It looked fantastic! Chrysler seems to be able to pull of the Radar Red leather.....

There could be contrasting color on the seats, piping.. something to give it more depth and contrast.
--------------------In my Chrysler 300's defense this might be some new Uber-safe pre-collision system that I am not aware of. The airbag deployment is the result of the car KNOWING I will be struck in the front passenger door at SOME p

I've not driven one but agree with you about the styling. When I saw the MKZ in person at the Chicago Auto Show a few weeks ago I was very underwhelmed. It lacks presence both inside and out. In my opinion the Fusions that Ford had on display at the same show were more eye catching and looked better all around. Maybe the interior qualities aren't quite as nice in the Fusion but they are close enough. The MKZ seems grossly overpriced to me.

I think it really needs a warmer interior color option. It's been a while, but i almost want to say their non-black color options seem faded and bland (i know they aren't faded, but they seemed to have the appearance of it). And like i said, offering the whole dash and center console in a color other than grey/black would help.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-2013 F150 FX4 5.0Formerly Blackstallion4209

If I was looking at this car I probably wouldn't consider the 2.0T. There's only a $1,230 price difference between the FWD 2.0T and the FWD 3.7 V6. And since the 2.0T hasn't exactly been praised for its amazing fuel efficiency, I'm thinking the 3.7 is just the better buy in this case.

If you are focused on having a more fuel efficient version, the hybrid is readily available at no extra cost.

Sounds blahh, it does have a sweet ass, its almost like it wasn't meant for the car. Girly int he frot pure masculinity in the back. I know it sounds stupid, but hey.. thats my take.
.**************************************Go Placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. Be on good term with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

People will hate me for it. I'm the self-proclaimed, most legitimate Lincoln guy on this forum. Lots of people defend them, but I'm the one guy here who has purchased several of them.

The MKZ is a decent ride, but I wouldn't pay $44K for one. I'll reserve final judgement until I can drive an AWD 3.7 with the Handling Pkg and a BAMR. If I could get one of those for $44K... Maybe

For $44K I'd rather just pick up a Chrysler 300C. The guy that sold me my 300 was trying to get me to buy a leftover 2012 Black 300 SRT8 with radar red leather for $46K... I have to admit I'd do that first.
--------------------In my Chrysler 300's defense this might be some new Uber-safe pre-collision system that I am not aware of. The airbag deployment is the result of the car KNOWING I will be struck in the front passenger door at SOME p

chaise1984:Sounds blahh, it does have a sweet ass, its almost like it wasn't meant for the car. Girly int he frot pure masculinity in the back. I know it sounds stupid, but hey.. thats my take.

The rear is the sexiest thing about the car. It's gorgeous... but then you turn her around and she's got a chubby, butter face!

My cars, like my women need to have it going on in all aspects! Not just the rear view!
--------------------In my Chrysler 300's defense this might be some new Uber-safe pre-collision system that I am not aware of. The airbag deployment is the result of the car KNOWING I will be struck in the front passenger door at SOME p

IowaCarGuy:People will hate me for it. I'm the self-proclaimed, most legitimate Lincoln guy on this forum. Lots of people defend them, but I'm the one guy here who has purchased several of them.

The MKZ is a decent ride, but I wouldn't pay $44K for one. I'll reserve final judgement until I can drive an AWD 3.7 with the Handling Pkg and a BAMR. If I could get one of those for $44K... Maybe

For $44K I'd rather just pick up a Chrysler 300C. The guy that sold me my 300 was trying to get me to buy a leftover 2012 Black 300 SRT8 with radar red leather for $46K... I have to admit I'd do that first.

You're just being honest.

I imagine that if a loaded 3.7 was $40k you'd be all over it. I just think Lincoln wants too much for their cars. If they were all $5-10k cheaper they'd be selling like water in the Sahara.
----------------------------Grace, Pace, and SpaceAwarded Best Back Troll

girly in the front, pure masculinity in the back. Sorry about that, it happens, a LOT.
.**************************************Go Placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. Be on good term with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

chaise1984:Sounds blahh, it does have a sweet ass, its almost like it wasn't meant for the car. Girly int he frot pure masculinity in the back. I know it sounds stupid, but hey.. thats my take.

IowaCarGuy:The rear is the sexiest thing about the car. It's gorgeous... but then you turn her around and she's got a chubby, butter face!

My cars, like my women need to have it going on in all aspects! Not just the rear view!

This is true.
.**************************************Go Placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. Be on good term with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.